A 45-year-old car driver suffered serious life threatening injuries and was airlifted to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital following the collision involving his grey Peugeot and a red and white Scania lorry.

The man remains in hospital and his condition is described as being “critical but stable”.

Police said the crash happened at 1.15pm on Thursday on the northbound carriageway of the A12 just before Yoxford.

The lorry, which was left overturned in a field, spilled sand and shingle across the carriageway. The driver was uninjured.

Graham Newman, cabinet member for roads and transport at Suffolk County Council, said that stretch of the A12 already had speed restrictions and he was waiting for a full report on the accident.

He said: “It would be most unwise to jump to conclusions as to its causes.

“What I do know is the village itself – and the A12’s junctions with the A1120 and the B1122 – are covered by a 30mph speed limit which is frequently monitored by the police’s mobile camera team.

“There is a limit of 40mph to the north of the village to beyond Darsham station; and 50mph to the south, the latter being on a relatively straight section of road, leading down to Kelsale and the Saxmundham bypass,” Mr Newman added. “Our thoughts must go out to the motorist involved and his family.

“Incidents which involve serious injury such as this will receive thorough analysis by our road safety team once police reports are to hand, to establish whether there are any deficiencies in the highway infrastructure which need to be addressed.

“It is obviously unfortunate that this came to pass on the eve of the Latitude Festival, when the A12 is unusually busy – particularly after the roadworks at Blythburgh further north were completed successfully in time for the festival.”

The lorry remained at the side of the A12 and was due to be recovered at 2am today (Saturday) to allow minimum disruption to road users.

Anyone who saw the collision or the vehicles prior to the crash should call PC Allie Cotton of the Suffolk Constabulary Serious Collision Investigation Team on 101.